BASIS attrition after middle school- why?

[Anonymous]

We're happy to have the BASIS PE and Drama teachers we have and no stage or basketball court rather than those facilities but with subpar teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard to say how much the at-risk set aside will make a difference. Latin has already been offering it and it seems it’s not gaining much traction. Also, BASIS doesn’t seem to be the ideal school for at-risk students after what I’ve observed about the ideal household for BASIS students, so even if at-risk students start off at BASIS, it’s hard to know if they will fare well enough to continue. But I don’t mean for this line of discussion to derail this particular post because at this point the attrition at the school has nothing to do with having an at-risk preference.

For the PP who suggested moving to the suburbs isn’t costly, the current interest rates make it very costly and many families don’t want to move so far into the suburbs where it’s more affordable due to commutes (and the higher feeling of isolation that goes with living further away).

There isn’t a single person at BASIS who doesn’t wish for a better facility and that would really solve a lot of the shortcomings that people have identified that theirs students seek in a high school experience. But people have different tolerances for different weaknesses at a school and for some people it seems supplementing extra-curriculars outside of school is easier than supplementing academics.

For the PP who mentioned doing additional work outside of school, I haven’t gotten the impression that’s common at BASIS. Families at other schools have to make up for the lack of learning taking place during the school day and it’s hard to imagine spending free time that way. Lots of trade offs for sure. By the time high school comes around, priorities may be more obvious.

Many, many people don’t understand that the key intake year for Basis and Latin is 5th grade. You assume that this common knowledge is widely understood. Its not.

+1

The more I meet parents of upper elementary school aged kids the more of an issue I think this is. Partially because people just assume all middle schools start in 6th grade and miss the lottery, partially because kids really want to finish elementary school at their current school through fifth grade. I know three families who turned down basis for that reason.

[Anonymous]

PP again and those families will try the lottery again this year for sixth grade but I don’t think they realize how hard it is to get into Latin for sixth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nonsense. Any middle class DC family can afford to move to the MD or VA burbs. You stay at BASIS because you want to.

I am the person who said we cannot afford to move. You don’t know my life. Please stop.

[Anonymous]

Not the PP you’re conversing with it, yea, you aren’t stuck no matter what your situation is, at least if you don’t live in public housing. You could always rent in the burbs for a fine public schools while renting out your DC place. Why complain about a BASIS, a program you’ve chosen to stick with? We made a different choice. Zero sympathy for the clueless who stay in DCPS EotP thinking they will lottery in somewhere good for 6th. Lottery stats just aren’t hard to access.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard to say how much the at-risk set aside will make a difference. Latin has already been offering it and it seems it’s not gaining much traction. Also, BASIS doesn’t seem to be the ideal school for at-risk students after what I’ve observed about the ideal household for BASIS students, so even if at-risk students start off at BASIS, it’s hard to know if they will fare well enough to continue. But I don’t mean for this line of discussion to derail this particular post because at this point the attrition at the school has nothing to do with having an at-risk preference.

For the PP who suggested moving to the suburbs isn’t costly, the current interest rates make it very costly and many families don’t want to move so far into the suburbs where it’s more affordable due to commutes (and the higher feeling of isolation that goes with living further away).

There isn’t a single person at BASIS who doesn’t wish for a better facility and that would really solve a lot of the shortcomings that people have identified that theirs students seek in a high school experience. But people have different tolerances for different weaknesses at a school and for some people it seems supplementing extra-curriculars outside of school is easier than supplementing academics.

For the PP who mentioned doing additional work outside of school, I haven’t gotten the impression that’s common at BASIS. Families at other schools have to make up for the lack of learning taking place during the school day and it’s hard to imagine spending free time that way. Lots of trade offs for sure. By the time high school comes around, priorities may be more obvious.

Many, many people don’t understand that the key intake year for Basis and Latin is 5th grade. You assume that this common knowledge is widely understood. Its not.

+1

The more I meet parents of upper elementary school aged kids the more of an issue I think this is. Partially because people just assume all middle schools start in 6th grade and miss the lottery, partially because kids really want to finish elementary school at their current school through fifth grade. I know three families who turned down basis for that reason.

This is real for us (though we don't like BASIS and are not applying). But my kid is so happy at their DCPS elementary school, and we have a horrible feeder middle (Cardozo). I'm really reluctant to pull him from a 5th grade where he will certainly thrive into the unknown. Really wish all middle schools started in 6th.

[Anonymous]

The half dozen best DC public middle school don’t and never will, other than Hardy and Deal for IB families. Cope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not the PP you’re conversing with it, yea, you aren’t stuck no matter what your situation is, at least if you don’t live in public housing. You could always rent in the burbs for a fine public schools while renting out your DC place. Why complain about a BASIS, a program you’ve chosen to stick with? We made a different choice. Zero sympathy for the clueless who stay in DCPS EotP thinking they will lottery in somewhere good for 6th. Lottery stats just aren’t hard to access.

You seem so kind hearted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The half dozen best DC public middle school don’t and never will, other than Hardy and Deal for IB families. Cope.

Exactly. It’s short sighted and foolish not to do the lottery in 5th grade for a secure HS path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The half dozen best DC public middle school don’t and never will, other than Hardy and Deal for IB families. Cope.

Exactly. It’s short sighted and foolish not to do the lottery in 5th grade for a secure HS path.

+1

The only reason I would do this is if I had one foot out the door and didn’t care whether I could stay in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The half dozen best DC public middle school don’t and never will, other than Hardy and Deal for IB families. Cope.

Exactly. It’s short sighted and foolish not to do the lottery in 5th grade for a secure HS path.

I am one of the PPs and this thread is starting to feel mean and unsympathetic. Yes it might be short sighted but when kids are thriving and love their friends and elementary school it is not just about being pragmatic. Some families are really invested in their elementary school community and it’s hard to leave. I know this is not the site for empathy but I’m sure you’ve made a ‘foolish’ decision in regards to your child because it made them happy and feel supported.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard to say how much the at-risk set aside will make a difference. Latin has already been offering it and it seems it’s not gaining much traction. Also, BASIS doesn’t seem to be the ideal school for at-risk students after what I’ve observed about the ideal household for BASIS students, so even if at-risk students start off at BASIS, it’s hard to know if they will fare well enough to continue. But I don’t mean for this line of discussion to derail this particular post because at this point the attrition at the school has nothing to do with having an at-risk preference.

For the PP who suggested moving to the suburbs isn’t costly, the current interest rates make it very costly and many families don’t want to move so far into the suburbs where it’s more affordable due to commutes (and the higher feeling of isolation that goes with living further away).

There isn’t a single person at BASIS who doesn’t wish for a better facility and that would really solve a lot of the shortcomings that people have identified that theirs students seek in a high school experience. But people have different tolerances for different weaknesses at a school and for some people it seems supplementing extra-curriculars outside of school is easier than supplementing academics.

For the PP who mentioned doing additional work outside of school, I haven’t gotten the impression that’s common at BASIS. Families at other schools have to make up for the lack of learning taking place during the school day and it’s hard to imagine spending free time that way. Lots of trade offs for sure. By the time high school comes around, priorities may be more obvious.

Many, many people don’t understand that the key intake year for Basis and Latin is 5th grade. You assume that this common knowledge is widely understood. Its not.

+1

The more I meet parents of upper elementary school aged kids the more of an issue I think this is. Partially because people just assume all middle schools start in 6th grade and miss the lottery, partially because kids really want to finish elementary school at their current school through fifth grade. I know three families who turned down basis for that reason.

This is real for us (though we don't like BASIS and are not applying). But my kid is so happy at their DCPS elementary school, and we have a horrible feeder middle (Cardozo). I'm really reluctant to pull him from a 5th grade where he will certainly thrive into the unknown. Really wish all middle schools started in 6th.

PP and I get it. I wish charters started at 6th grade for middle school. It seems like a more natural break and would provide more equity in student applications to charters for middle school.

[Anonymous]

I wish all middle schools could start in 6th grade, too, but after being at BASIS, I readily see the wisdom of having 5th grade as an “onboarding” year to get students acclimated to the school and the future demands of being a BASIS middle school student. Unfortunately there is such a wide range of elementary school education that students needs time to get on the same page. I think if/when BASIS has its own elementary school, 5th grade will not need to be such a transition year. For now, it’s pretty essential.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The half dozen best DC public middle school don’t and never will, other than Hardy and Deal for IB families. Cope.

Exactly. It’s short sighted and foolish not to do the lottery in 5th grade for a secure HS path.

I am one of the PPs and this thread is starting to feel mean and unsympathetic. Yes it might be short sighted but when kids are thriving and love their friends and elementary school it is not just about being pragmatic. Some families are really invested in their elementary school community and it’s hard to leave. I know this is not the site for empathy but I’m sure you’ve made a ‘foolish’ decision in regards to your child because it made them happy and feel supported.

Keep these ES friendships and relationships in perspective. Years and years ago, my son LOVED his charter ES (friends, teachers etc). I was less impressed, did the lottery on a whim, with the plan to move out of DC before 6th grade. We got into Latin (2nd St)—made the move, tough transition but after 5th grade, my son and his ES friends had grown apart. By 6th grade, had a whole new group of friends and never looked back.
ES friendships and community: it’s fleeting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The half dozen best DC public middle school don’t and never will, other than Hardy and Deal for IB families. Cope.

Exactly. It’s short sighted and foolish not to do the lottery in 5th grade for a secure HS path.

I am one of the PPs and this thread is starting to feel mean and unsympathetic. Yes it might be short sighted but when kids are thriving and love their friends and elementary school it is not just about being pragmatic. Some families are really invested in their elementary school community and it’s hard to leave. I know this is not the site for empathy but I’m sure you’ve made a ‘foolish’ decision in regards to your child because it made them happy and feel supported.

Uh.. not regarding education, when the public options are so limited.